Power driven rug displaying device



April 25, 1967 w. SCHNEIDER 3,315,813

POWER DRIVEN RUG DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed July 29, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 25, 1967 w. SCHNEIDER POWER DRIVEN RUG DISPLAYING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1965 4 W a w 4 1 J 1 7 PM. M M I W Jwn MW I? 5 3 4 ed 1 MW Hi W Z P I o I H m v W My v w 1 MM 3.

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April 25, 1967 w. SCHNEIDER POWER DRIVEN RUG DISPLAYING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 29, 1965 IAN 671703 April 25, 1967 w. SCHNEIDER 3,315,813

POWER DRIVEN RUG DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed July 29, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,315,813 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 3,315,813 POWER DRIVEN RUG DISPLAYING DEVICE Willy Schneider, Vorst, Post Schwenke, Westphalia, Germany; Ingeborg Schneider, heir of said Willy Schneider, deceased Filed July 29, 1965, Ser. No. 475,666 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 8, 1964, Sch 35,599 9 Claims. (Cl. 211-15) This invention relates to devices for displaying rugs to be used in show windows, show rooms, in exhibitions, and on related occasions.

It is one object of this invention to provide a display device capable of sequentially displaying a plurality of rugs, or carpets, in a relatively short time and in such a fashion that the beholder is able to perceive each rug, or carpet, in its entirety.

It is another object of this invention to provide powerdriven, or power-operated, rug-displaying devices, turning rugs arranged in front of a beholder in the fashion in which the pages of illustrated books are being turned by a person perusing the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide automatic, power-driven means for rug displaying devices disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent 3,187,900 to Willy Schneider, June 8, 1965, for Apparatus for Selectively Displaying Carpets.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a rug-displaying device embodying the present invention as well as that disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent 3,187,900;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a detail of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the structure of FIG. I seen in the direction of the arrow R of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the structure of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail of FIG. 4, i.e. the chain drive of FIG. 4, shown on a larger scale than in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section of the structure of FIG. 6 taken substantially along 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention not featuring means for changing the level of the rug-supporting frames;

FIG. 9 is a top-plan view similar to that shown in FIG. 5 of a modification of the structure of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a section substantially along 1010 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. '1 to 7 thereof, numeral 1 has been applied to indicate two uprights forming part of a vertical rectangular frame structure. This frame structure further includes a pair of horizontal beams 1a, 1a of which one is arranged at the top of uprights 1 and the other at the bottom of uprights 1. Beams 1a, 1a form a pair of ties between uprights 1. The frame structure 1, 1a is supported by a base or platform indicated by reference numeral 2. Base or platform 2 may be provided, if desired, with casters (not shown), making it possible to readily move the entire structure from one location to another. Frame 1, 1a supports three horizontal spaced angle irons 3, 4 and 8. The horizontal flanges 3a, 4a and 8a of angle irons 3, 4, 8 form supporting brackets for a plurality of vertical rods 5. To this end the horizontal flanges 3a, 4a and 8a of angle irons 3, 4 and 8 are provided with registering circular holes, or apertures, for the passage of rods 5. Each rod 5 supports a rectangular relatively flat frame F each including a pair of horizontal rods 6, 6a and a pair of vertical rods 6b, 6c. Each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 60 may be provided with a more or less diagonally arranged bracing rod 6d to increase the dimensional stability thereof. Each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c may further be provided on the side thereof remote from rod 5 with a handle to which reference character 61' has been applied. The lower horizontal rod 6a of each fram 6, 6a, 6b, 6c is provided with a rug-support 6h. Rug-supports 6h include two convex arms and a center portion arranged between the aforementioned convex arms and pivotally attached to lower horizontal rod 6a. FIG. 1 shows rug-support 6h arranged in a plane coextensive with the plane defined by frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 60. When pivoted about its vertical pivot rug-support 6h defines a plane at right angle to the plane defined by frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 60. In that pivoted position one of the concave arms of rug-support 6h is situated in front of frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, and the other of the concave arms of rug-support 6h is situated in the rear of frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 6c. The end of each rod 6 adjacent vertical rods or columns 5 is provided with a slide bearing 6e, and the end of each rod 6a adjacent vertical rods or columns 5 is provided with a slide bearing 6]. The slide bearings 6e, 6 forming integral parts of one of frames 6, 6a, 6b, 6c are mounted on one of the vertical rods or columns 5, thus making it possible to raise or lower each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c along one of rods or columns 5. Rods or columns 5 are provided with transverse or horizontal holes adapted to receive pins 7 of which each is intended to maintain one of the frames 6, 6a, 6b, 60 at a desired level, or height, by forming an abutment against which its lower slide bearing 6 may rest. Each pin 7 is provided with a handle 7a for greater convenience of operation. It will be apparent from the foregoing that each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 60 may be pivoted about one of the vertical rods or columns 5.

The structure which has been disclosed so far is identical to the structure disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 3,187,900.

Each vertical rod or column 5 supports a coaxial sleeve member 9 having a fork-shaped downward projection 9a. Reference character 9b has been applied to indicate the lower fork-shaped end of projection 9a. The spacing between the constituent prongs of portion 9b of projection 9a is about equal to the thickness of the horizontal rod 6a of one of the frame structures 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, and rod 6a of each frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 6c is arranged between the prongs of portion 9b of one of the projections 9a of one of the sleeve members 9. Consequently each frame structure 6, 6a, 6b, 6c is mechanically coupled with one of the sleeves 9. Each sleeve 9 is further provided with a horizontal rear projection supporting a pair of horizontal pins 9d, 9e enclosing angles of about 90 degrees. One side of endless chain 10 is arranged inside of a space bounded by the pins 9d, 9e of horizontal projections 9c (see FIG. 4). Chain 10 is supported by a pair of sprocket Wheels or the like to which reference numeral 111 has been applied. Chain 10 is a plate link chain of the type known as Galles chain. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 chain 10 is provided with an abutment member or dog 12 having a projection 12a and supported on chain 10 by means of two plates 10a secured to chain 10 by the pins which form a part of the latter. The length of abutment member of dog 12 is three times that of a single link of chain 10. Chain 10 further supports a pair of sheet metal plates 10b spaced from sheet metal plates 10a carrying dog 12 one length of a chain link, i.e. there is one chain link between the chain link coextensive with plates 10a and the chain link coextensive with plates 10b. Sheet metal plates 10b are provided as lateral guides, or supports, for dog '12 when the latter is in a position at 90 degrees to that shown in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 13 has been applied to indicate a pair of fixed spaced parallel rails of which one is arranged below, and the other above, of chain It]. Rails 13 are provided on juxtaposed sides thereof with grooves 13a which may be V-shaped in cross-section and which are engaged by the projection 12a of dog 12 when the latter travels parallel to rails 13. If chain 10 is moved in one direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5, abutment or dog 12 engages sequentially the upper pins 9e integral with sleeves 9 and pivots sequentially each of frames 6, 6a, 6b, 60 about the vertical supporting rod or supporting column thereof. There is a predetermined interval of time between sequential pivotal motions of vertical frames 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, the duration of these intervals depending upon the velocity at which chain is being moved. When abutment or dog 12 has terminated its horizontal trajectory it is pivoted about the right sprocket wheel 11 of FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 6. Continued motion of chain 10 in the same direction causes dog 12 to reverse the direction of its motion and sequential engagement between abutment member or dog 12 and the lower pins 9d forming part of, or being integral with, sleeves 9. This causes a pivotal motion of frames 6, 6a, 6b, 6c in inverse sequence to the initial positions thereof. Each frame -6, 6a, 6b, 6c is intended to support a rug, and rugs which are supported in this fashion are turned about rods or columns 5 alternately in foreward and backward direction like the leaves of a book.

When it is intended to exhibit a number of rugs the same are secured in pairs in back to back positions to frame structures '6, 6a, 6b, 6c, one edge of each pair of ru-gs being affixed to one of the upper rods 6. To this end the frame structures 6, 6a, 6b, 6c are lowered so as to rest against platform 2. Before securing one edge of a pair of rugs to upper rod 6 of a frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, the particular rug-support 611 is pivoted 90 degrees, i.e. in such a fashion that the plane defined by the rug-support is at right angles to the plane defined by the particular frame 6, 6a, 6b, 60 on which the rug-support is pivotally mounted. The pair of rugs of which one edge is to be clamped against rod 6 is then placed in entirely rolled-up condition on the arms of the rug-support 6h of that frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c. Thereafter only a portion of the total length of the pair of rugs is unwound, the length of this portion being equal to the distance between rod 6 and rug-support 6h. After clamping one edge of each of the pair of rugs against rod 6, the particular frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c is raised to the upper position thereof shown in FIG. 1, the rolled-up portions of the rugs remaining initially unrolled and resting on rug-support 6h. After having secured the particular frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c in the upper limit position thereof by inserting pin 7 into the particular vertical supporting rod 5, the rug-support 611 is pivoted 90 degrees to the position shown in FIG. -1. As a result the length of the rugs which heretofore had rested in rolled-up condition on rug-support 6h drops by the action of gravity upon platform 2, the lower edge of the rug being slightly above the level of platform 2. When each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c is provided, in the fashion which has been described above, with two rugs, i.e. one rug in front of the particular frame and one rug on the rear of the particular frame, the display device is ready for displaying automatically the several rugs which are secured to it in the aforedescribed fashion. Chain 10 begins to re- .volve upon energization of electric motor 14.

Assuming that abutment 12 on chain 10 is initially in the position shown in FIG. 6 and that the left sprocket wheel of FIG. 6 is operated by motor 14 to revolve in clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 6. As a result abutment 12 moves initially along the lower trajectory of chain drive 10. The projection 12a of abutment 12 engages the groove 13a formed in lower guide rail 13, and abutment 12 engages sequentially the lower abutment pins 9d on sleeves 9. As a result frames 6, 6a, 6b, 60

engaged by the fork-shaped portions 9b of sleeves 9 are pivoted sequentially in one direction, each about its respective supporting rod or supporting column 5. As seen in FIG. 5 engagement of the lower abutment pins 9d by the revolving abutment 12 causes a pivotal motion of frames 6, 6a, 6b, 60 from left to right. Thereafter abutment 12 reverses its direction of travel and moves along its upper trajectory. When so moving abutment 12 engages with its projection 12a the groove 13a in upper guide rail .13, and further engages sequentially the upper pins 9e integral with sleeves 9. Consequently frames 6, 6a, 6b, 6c are pivoted in the opposite direction, i.e. from right to left, as seen in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 shows abutment 12 after having completed half of its lower trajectory, i.e. being situated midway between the sprocket wheels 11 supporting chain 10 and at the lower level of the latter. Abutment 12 has engaged the lower abutment pins 9d of the four sleeves 9 situated to the right of FIG. 4 and pivoted these four sleeves and the frames 6, 6a, 6b, 6c which are operated.

by them from one of their limit positions to the other of their limit positions. Abutment 12 is just engaging the lower abutment pin 9d of the frame 6, 6a, 6b, 60 arranged in the center of the stand 1, 1a and has pivoted that frame halfway from one of its limit positions to the other of its limit positions. The pivotal motion of each frame 6, 6a, 6b, 6c encompasses about degrees, and slightly exceeds that angle.

The structure of FIG. 8 differs from that shown in the previously described figures in that it lacks means for altering the level of the supporting frames for the rugs. On the other hand, the structure of FIG. 8 includes substantially the same drive means for pivoting the rugsupporting frames as the structure shown in FIGS. 1-7 and described in connection therewith.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 8, vertical column 1' is supported on a horizontal platform 2 and supports a pair of horizontal beams 3', 4 forming brackets 3a, 4a. Brackets 3a, 4a pivotally support a plurality of frames 6', 61), 6d, 6i. The ends of rods 6i remote from column 1' are provided with a handle. The horizontal rods 6 are pivotally supported at 15 by bracket 3a. The vertical rods 6b form an angle at the lower ends thereof and pivotally supported at 15' by brackets 4a. While FIG. 8 shows but one single rugsupporting frame *6, 6b, 6d, 61'', it will be understood that each bracket 3a, 4a, is intended to support a plurality of such frames. The lower horizontal portion of each rod 6b has an arm 9c having two projections 9e, 90.", which form abutments intended to be engaged by a cooperating abutment on revolving endless chain 10'. This chain-supported abutment is not shown in FIG. 8. It is intended to be identical to the chain-supported abutment or dog 12 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and '7. FIG. 8 further shows two grooved rails 13 intended to be engaged by the aforementioned abutment supported by chain 10' and forming guides for said abutment.

The mode of operation of the frame-pivoting drive shown in the lower left corner of FIG. 8 is the same as the mode of operation of the frame-pivoting drive described in detail in connection with FIGS. 1-7, and does, therefore, not need to be described in connection with FIG. 8.

In the modification of the drive structure shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 a worm drive has been substituted for the endless chain drive of FIGS. l8. Reference numeral 16" has been applied to indicate a screw-threaded rotatable worm or spindle extending parallel to the beam 8 which forms a bracket for supporting the vertical rods: 5. The rug-supporting frames 6, 6b, 6c, 60! cannot beseen in FIG. 10 in their entirety, but the upper horizontal rods 6 thereof are clearly shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 9 and 10 show also the frame-operating sleeves 9 having rear projections 92, 9d for operating sleeves 9 and the rugsupporting frames. Worm 16" supports an internally screw-threaded travelling block or nut member 17 which is guided in a pair of channel-rails 18". Screw-threaded block 17" is allowed to move in a direction longitudinally of worm or spindle 16 in response to rotation thereof, but is precluded by channel-rails 18" from rotating. The upper side and the lower sides of screw-threaded block or nut member 17" are each provided with a vertical abutment pin 17a" intended to engage and to cooperate with abutments or projections 9e, 9d on sleeve 9. Reference character 19" has been applied to indicated a changeover switch operated by screw-threaded block 17" when engaged by the latter and then reversing the direction of an electric motor (not shown) operating spindle 16".

It will be understood that spindle or worm 16" pivots the rug-supporting frames by the intermediary of nut member 17", pins 17a, pins 92, 9d and sleeves 9 which have frame-operating projections. These projections are not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but are of exactly the same character as the projections 9a, 9b shown and described in connection with FIG. 3. The rug-supporting frames are being pivoted in one direction when spindle 16" revolves in one direction, and they are being pivoted in the other or reverse direction upon reversal of the sense of rotation of spindle 16".

The structure of FIGS. 9 and might be modified by substituting two parallel spindles for the single spindle shown in the above figures. One of these two spindles has a right-hand thread and the other a left-hand thread and each supports a travelling nut member cooperating with the abutment pins 9e, 9d (see FIGS. 9 and 10) on sleeve 9. Such a dual spindle structure must be provided with a changeover switch performing the same function as the change-over switch of FIG. 9, i.e. periodically reversing the direction of revolution of the spindles.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that the system shown is capable of modifictaion and variation without departing from the principles of the invention, and that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The invention having thus been described, that which is believed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a vertical supporting structure;

(b) a plurality of relatively flat rug-supporting frames arranged in vertical planes and supported by said supporting structure, each of said plurality of frames being pivotable about a vertical axis relative to said supporting structure and projecting in cantilever fashion away from said supporting structure; and

(c) automatic means for sequentially pivoting said plurality of frames, said pivoting means including a plurality of pairs of angularly and vertically displaced abutments, each pair of said plurality of pairs of abutments being arranged on the side of one of said plurality of frames adjacent said supporting structure and operatively related to one of said plurality of frames for actuation thereof, and said pivoting means further including power driven horizontally travelling abutment means operated to move alternately forward and backward and arranged to engage during the forward movement thereof one abutment of said plurality of pairs of abutments and to sequentially engage during the backward movement thereof the other abutment of each of said plurality of pairs of abutments.

2. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a vertical supporting structure;

(b) a plurality of relatively flat rug-supporting frames arranged in vertical planes and supported by said supporting structure, each of said plurality of frames being pivotable about a vertical axis relative to said supporting structure and projetcing in cantilever-fashion away from said supporting structure; and

(c) automatic means for sequentially pivoting said plurality of frames, said pivoting means including a plurality of pairs of angularly and vertically displaced abutments, each pair of said plurality of pairs of abutments being arranged on the side of one of said plurality of frames adjacent said supporting structure and operatively related to one of said plurality of frames for actuation thereof, and said pivoting means further including a power driven endless horizontally extending abutment drive, and an abutment aflixed to said drive and jointly travelling with said drive and arranged to sequentially engage during the travel thereof in one direction one abutment of each of said plurality of pairs of abutments and to sequentially engage during the travel thereof in the direction opposite to said one direction the other abutment of each of said plurality of pairs of abutments.

3. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) vertical supporting structure;

(b) a plurality of relatively flat rug-supporting frames arranged in vertical planes and supported by said supporting structure, each of said plurality of frames being pivotable about a vertical axis relative to said supporting structure and projecting in cantilever fashion away from said supporting structure; and

(c) automatic means for sequentially pivoting said plurality of frames, said pivoting means including a plurality of pairs of angularly and vertically displaced abutments, each pair of said plurality of pairs of abutments being arranged on the side of one of said plurality of frames adjacent said supporting structure and operatively related to one of said plurality of frames to cause actuation thereof, and said pivoting means further including a horizontally arranged power driven screw-threaded spindle, a nut means mounted on and travelling along said spindle, means for precluding rotation of said nut means jointly with said spindle, abutment means integral with said nut means and arranged to engage said plurality of pairs of abutments, and means responsive to the travel of said nut means along said spindle for reversing the direction of rotation of said spindle.

4. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of vertical rods;

(b) a plurality of relatively flat frames each supported by one of said plurality of rods at a predetermined level, slidable in a direction longitudinally of one of said plurality of rods and each pivotable about one of said plurality of rods;

(0) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having first abutment means engaging one of said plurality of frames for pivoting said one of said plurality of frames about one of said plurality of rods, each of said plurality of sleeves further having second abutment means projecting substantially radially outwardly therefrom; and

(d) a revolving endless drive having an abutment afiixed thereto sequentially engaging said second abutment means on said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot each of said plurality of sleeves jointly with one of said plurality of frames about one of said plurality of rods.

5. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of vertical rods;

(b) a plurality of relatively fiat frames each pivotally supported by one of said plurality of rods;

(0) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having a substantially fork-shaped extension cooperatively engaging one of said plurality of frames to positively pivot said one of said plurality of frames in either of two directions upon pivotal movement of one of said plurality of sleeves in either of two directions, each of said plurality of sleeves further having a pair of vertically spaced horizontal abutments enclosing a predetermined angle; and

(d) an endless drive having an abutment sequentially engaging one of said pair of abutments of said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot said plurality of sleeves and said plurality of frames in one direction and sequentially engaging the other of said pair of abutments of said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot said plurality of sleeves and said plurality of frames in a direction opposite to said one direction.

6. -A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a pair of superimposed brackets extending substantially horizontally and each defining a plurality of holes, one of each of said plurality of holes in the upper of said pair of brackets and one of said plurality of holes in the lower of said pair of brackets being arranged in registry;

( b) common means for supporting said pair of brackets in fixed spaced relation;

() a plurality of vertical supporting rods each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the upper of said pair of brackets and each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the lower of said pair of brackets;

(d) a plurality of pairs of superimposed bearings, each pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings being slidably mounted on one of said plurality of rods;

(e) means for fixedly securing one bearing of said plurality of pairs of bearings at a desired level on each of said plurality of rods;

(f) a plurality of substantially flat frame structures each having one side juxtaposed to one of said plurality of rods and each being connected to one pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings;

(g) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having substantially fork-shaped abutment means engaging one of said plurality of frames for pivoting said one of said plurality of frames about one of said plurality of rods, each of said plurality of sleeves further having an operating abutment projecting therefrom radially outwardly away from one of said plurality of rods; and

(h) an endless drive having an abutment afiixed thereto sequentially engaging said operating abutment 011 each of said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot each of said plurality of sleeves and one of said plurality of frames jointly about one of said plurality of rods.

7. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a pair of superimposed brackets extending substantially horizontally and each defining a plurality of holes, one of each of said plurality of holes in the upper of said pair of brackets and one of said plurality of holes in the lower of said pair of brackets being arranged in registry;

(b) common means for supporting said pair of brackets in fixed spaced relation;

(c) a plurality of vertical supporting rods each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the upper of said pair of brackets and each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the lower of said pair of brackets;

(d) a plurality of pairs of superimposed bearings, each pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings being slidably mounted on one of said plurality of rods;

(e) means for fixedly securing one bearing of said plurality of pairs of bearings at a desired level on each of said plurality of rods;

(f) a plurality of substantially flat frame structures each having one side juxtaposed to one of said plurality of rods and each being connected to one pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings;

(g) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having a substantially fork-shaped extension cooperatively engaging one of said plurality of frames to positively pivot said one of said plurality of frames in either of two directions upon pivotal movement of one of said plurality of sleeves in either of two directions, each of said plurality of sleeves further having a pair of substantially horizontal operating abutments arranged at different levels and enclosing a predetermined angle; and

(h) an endless drive having an abutment afiixed thereto sequentially engaging one operating abutment of said pair of operating abutments on each of said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot said plurality of sleeves and said plurality of frames in one direction and sequentially engaging the other operating abutment of said pair of operating abutments on each of said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot said plurality of sleeves and said plurality of frames in a direction opposite to said one direction.

8. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a pair of superimposed brackets each extending substantially horizontally and each defining a plurality of holes, one of each of said plurality of holes in the upper of said pair of brackets and one of each of said plurality of holes in the lower of said pair of brackets being arranged in registry;

(b) common means for supporting said pair of brackets in fixed spaced relation;

(c) a plurality of vertical supporting rods each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the upper of said pair of brackets and each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the lower of said pair of brackets;

(d) a plurality of pairs of superimposed bearings, each pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings being slidably mounted on one of said plurality of rods;

(e) a plurality of substantially flat frame structures each integral with one pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings and each extending in cantilever fashion away from one of said plurality of rods;

(f) means for maintaining said plurality of bearings and said plurality of frame structure at predetermined level of said plurality of rods;

(g) a plurality of rug-supports for supporting rolled-up rugs, each of said plurality of rug-supports comprising a pair of concave arms and a center portion situated between said pair of arms and supported by a vertical pivot secured to one of said plurality of frame structures adjacent the lower side thereof;

(-h) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having abutment means cooperatively engaging one of said plurality of frame structures for pivoting said one of said plurality of frame structures about one of said plurality of rods in response to a pivotal motion of one of said plurality of sleeves about one of said plurality of rods, each of said plurality of sleeves further having an operating abutment projecting outwardly therefrom;

(i) an endless chain drive having a revolving abutment member sequentially engaging said operating abutment on said plurality of sleeves to sequentially pivot each of said plurality of sleeves and each of said plurality of frame structures about one of said plurality ,of rods; and

(j) a straight rail extending parallel to the straight 9 portion of said chain drive and defining a groove at the side thereof juxtaposed to said chain drive engaged by said revolving abutment member during the straight portion of the trajectory thereof.

9. A display device for rugs comprising in combination:

(a) a pair of superimposed brackets each extending substantially horizontally and each defining a plurality of holes, one of each of said plurality of holes in the upper of said pair of brackets and one of each of said plurality of holes in the lower of said pair of brackets being arranged in registry;

(b) common means for supporting said pair of brackets in fixed spaced relation;

(c) a plurality of vertical supporting rods each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the upper of said pair of brackets and each projecting through one of said plurality of holes defined by the lower of said pair of brackets;

(d) a plurality of pairs of superimposed bearings, each pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings being slidably mounted on one of said plurality of rods;

(e) a plurality of substantially fiat frame structures each integral with one pair of said plurality of pairs of bearings and each extending in cantilever fashion away from one of said plurality of rods;

(f) means for maintaining said plurality of bearings and said plurality of frame structures at a predetermined level of said plurality of rods;

(g) a plurality of rug-supports for supporting rolledup rugs, each of said plurality of rug-supports comprising a pair of concave arms and a center portion situated between said pair of arms and supported by a vertical pivot secured to one of said plurality of frame structures adjacent the lower side thereof;

(h) a plurality of sleeves each pivotally mounted on one of said plurality of rods and each having a forkshaped abutment means cooperatively engaging one of said plurality of frame structures, each of said plurality of sleeves further having a pair of substantially horizontal operating abutments arranged at different levels and enclosing a predetermined angle;

(i) an endless horizontal chain drive having a revolving abutment member sequentially engaging one operating abutments of said pair of operating abutments of said plurality of sleeves when moving in one direction and sequentially engaging the other operating abutment of said pair of operating abutments of said plurality of sleeves when moving in a direction opposite to said one direction; and

(j) a pair of straight horizontal guide rails, one of said pair of guide rails being arranged above said chain drive and the other of said pair of guide rails being arranged below said chain drive, each of said pair of guide rails defining a groove at the side thereof adjacent said chain drive engaged by a portion of said revolving abutment member during the straight portions of the trajectory thereof.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY DEVICE FOR RUGS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A VERTICAL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE; (B) A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY FLAT RUG-SUPPORTING FRAMES ARRANGED IN VERTICAL PLANES AND SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF FRAMES BEING PIVOTABLE ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS RELATIVE TO SID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND PROJECTING IN CANTILEVER FASHION AWAY FROM SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE; AND (C) AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY PIVOTING SAID PLURALITY OF FRAMES, SAID PIVOTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF ANGULARLY AND VERTICALLY DISPLACED ABUTMENTS, EACH PAIR OF SAID PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF ABUTMENTS BEING ARRANGED ON THE SIDE OF ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF FRAMES ADJACENT SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND OPERATIVELY RELATED TO ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF FRAMES FOR ACTUATION THEREOF, AND SAID PIVOTING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING POWER DRIVEN HORIZONTALLY TRAVELLING ABUTMENT MEANS OPERATED TO MOVE ALTERNATELY FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND ARRANGED TO ENGAGE DURING THE FORWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF ONE ABUTMENT OF SAID PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF ABUTMENTS AND TO SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGE DURING THE BACKWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF THE OTHER ABUTMENT OF EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF ABUTMENTS. 